Thread: The Globalization of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Globalization of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
Posted by Rob Gebeloff November 26, 2007 7:33AM
Categories: Immigration


Source: Pew Global Attitudes Project

2007 might be remembered in New Jersey as the year in which immigration emerged as an explosive local issue.

But here's some perspective from the folks at the Pew Global Attitudes Project: Immigration is unpopular throughout the globe. Even in the countries from which most of New Jersey's newest residents hail.

I will summarize some of the fascinating findings of last month's report, World Publics Welcome Global Trade -- But Not Immigration , based on surveys conducted in countries around the globe:

-- About three quarters of Americans believe further controls and restrictions on immigration are needed. But when the same question was asked in Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Bolivia, about the same percentage of respondents had a similar negative reaction about immigration in their own countries.

-- Among those who call for greater restrictions, about 70 percent of Americans say that immigrants pose a threat to our "way of life." But this sentiment runs even stronger among those who oppose immigration in other countries -- for instance, 81 percent of Mexicans who want restrictions on newcomers cite the "way of life" threat.

-- What's interesting is when researchers modify the question a little, the results change dramatically. When asked about restrictions, a vast majority is in favor. But when asked whether immigration is generally a "good thing", the majority says yes.

-- Much of the anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. seems focussed on Latinos. But the survey research shows a smaller-then-expected gap: -- about a third of Americans say outright that immigration from Latin America is a "bad thing", about a quarter say the same thing about Asians.
http://blog.nj.com/statattack/2007/11/t ... immig.html

Does this mean the whole world is racist??
It means they happen to like their own culture and customs, why is we are the only ones condemned for this??

Judging from the numbers it looks like African countries are the most "racist" along with Indonesia. Italy would be "racist" as well.